“Dissemination Of Correct Information Also Helps The Government”

Dhruba H. Adhikary

Dhruba H. Adhikary is the Chairman of the Nepal Press Institute (NPI). A senior media commentator Adhikary spoke to SANJAYA DHAKAL on various issues related to present situation of media freedom in the country. Excerpts:

How are the times for Nepalese journalists these days?

Nepalese journalists are going through difficult times. Immediately after the royal proclamation on February1, 2005, notices were issued through Nepal Gazette restricting publishing or broadcasting of news, information, interview or articles that go against the spirit of the royal proclamation and/or that directly/indirectly promote or support terrorism. The notices stated that these restrictions would be in place for six months. That six month is yet to complete. The State of Emergency that was imposed by invoking the Constitution has been lifted after three months. But the restrictions imposed on press through these notices remain in place even now. This shows that these notices have attempted to go beyond the constitution. It is a matter of common fact that all laws have to be compatible with the Constitution, which guarantees Right to Information and Press and Publications Rights. Any legal provision that contravenes the constitutional provisions will be null and void to the extent they contravene. So, we are living in a very difficult situation. Although there is no state of emergency, the media sector is suffering from the problems of these restrictions. This is an abnormal and controlled state as far as media sector is concerned. The NPI, too, has stated that due to restrictions imposed by the state and the rebels, the journalists are not able to freely and independently write or broadcast news materials.

How do you look at the ongoing agitation of the journalists?

In normal situation, journalists are expected to voice their dissent or protests through their own forum. But we have to look at the ongoing street agitation by Nepalese journalists from right perspective. This is an abnormal situation. Their existence is at stake here. Therefore, they are justified to use every forum they can to show their opposition. The only thing is that their agitation should be conducted in responsible, disciplined and well-managed manner. Theirs is a professional struggle. There is also a misgiving here that these journalists are struggling for their own interests. That is not true. The information they want to obtain and publicize is for the people and society. They do not seek the information for themselves. If journalists are restricted, all citizens will have to live in dark. They help the citizens to exercise their Right to Information.

But some people have given political colors to the agitation. What do you say?

I want to repeat that this is an abnormal situation. In normal situation you have professional ethics and so on. In the past, too, Nepalese journalists had faced allegations that many of them worked for political parties. But this is not the time to raise such issues. Now their whole profession is under threat. Besides, the press freedom is as much important for the government as it is to the people/journalists. For instance, immediately after February 1 there were rumors that there had been aerial attack against a gathering of students in Pokhara killing many and injuring dozens. In absence of free media reporting, the rumor became widespread and the government had to later call on the journalists of private media to disseminate the correct information. This shows that dissemination of correct information from credible journalists also helps the government. Keeping people in the dark does not help anyone including the government.

There are reports of some restrictive press ordinance in the offing. What are your comments?

I came to know about such ordinance through some news reports. Some newspapers even gave detailed draft of the proposed ordinance. That seems to be of restrictive nature. It is difficult to make comments about something, which has not been made public. However, it is clear that efforts are being made in this direction. Even Information Secretary was recently quoted in a newspaper as saying that the proposed ordinance would not curtail press freedom – which means such ordinance is, indeed, being proposed. Perhaps, it could not be introduced due to strong protests from the media community. Therefore, sometimes such agitations do work.

As a senior journalist, how do you think the Nepalese journalists should move ahead at this juncture?

They should move ahead in a responsible and disciplined manner. It means they should work in such a way that they do not need to publish correction a day after they publish news. They must base their news stories on strong source and avoid controversies. Accuracy is the most important. You cannot be fast by being inaccurate. One should be ready with facts. And, if some mistakes do occur, then a journalist should not feel ashamed from accepting and rectifying them. Take for instance the Hrithik Roshan episode when inaccurate information led to such a disaster. We must learn lessons from such events. The Constitution has given the right to information to every citizens. Journalists help the citizens in obtaining those information that are important for the citizens.

What is the role of the NPI in this situation?

Production of journalists who are knowledgeable about the standards, principles and ethics of journalism will pave the way for making this sector responsible. Since journalism is a specialized subject, general University degree may not suffice. It would take training to produce good journalists. Since 2041 B.S., NPI has been providing periodic training to the journalists ranging from short-term to one-year proficiency level teaching. I have been the member of the NPI since its establishment. Till now, we have produced around 700 trained journalists and many of them are working in responsible positions in various news media.